Stay at Our WV Cabins and be Close to the Action!
Call 1-800-701-0809 to Plan Your Gauley River Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Info on New River Rafting Trips

About Whitewater Rafting the Gauley River

Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like a Class V rapid on the Gauley River. The Gauley River was a sporadic and unreliable rafting venue until 1985 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was authorized to release water from Summersville Lake.These scheduled and controlled releases flood the Gauley River and transform it into one of the most challenging rivers in the world for whitewater enthusiasts. The Gauley River is generally rafted in two sections by most outfitters and in three sections by others. Both single day and two day trips are offered by many outfitters. The river stretches over 100 miles from the Summersville dam to its meeting with the New River and boasts over 60 rapids, most in the 24 mile stretch starting at the dam.The Upper Gauley River
The most intense whitewater is found on the upper section of the Gauley River but the rafting season here is short so book early! The upper section relies on water released from Summersville Lake which happens during the months of September and October. Occasionally the release is extended if water levels in the lake are high but don’t count on this happening–its a fairly rare event. The upper section trip is 11 to 15 miles long depending on where the outfitter starts and finishes. This is a very intense section of river with many class IV and V+ rapids.

The upper Gauley rafting season runs every Friday through Monday after Labor Day, and concludes on the third weekend of October in conjunction with the Bridge Day Festival—the world’s largest BASE-jumping event, where BASE jumpers hurl themselves off the nearby 876-foot high New River Gorge Bridge.

Previous rafting experience is strongly recommended.

The Middle Gauley River
The middle section is the shortest and mildest section of the river with class II and III+ rapids along its 7 mile course. It is not offered as a trip by itself by all outfitters. It is, however, the only section of the river that can be rafted April through September on a fairly consistent basis

The Lower Gauley River
The lower section of the river offers many more class IV and V rapids and a slew of class III’s just for good measure. The rapids here aren’t quite as intense as those on the upper Gauley but previous experience is a bonus when setting out to conquer this 13 to 17 mile stretch of mayhem. Two day trips are very popular offering thrill-seekers the chance to run the entire 24 mile stretch of whitewater insanity. Some outfitters offer a “reverse” Gauley trip where you raft the milder lower sections of the river first to get your feet wet with your rafting adventure–a kind of “on the river training” program to prepare you for the onslaught of class V+ rapids on the upper Gauley the second day.What We Do
(Aside From Offering the Best Value in WV Vacation Accommodations, That Is!)
There are dozens of whitewater rafting outfitters in our area and with good reason. This part of WV offers the best whitewater in the eastern United States. Navigating the rivers, however, can be easier than navigating the plethora of options when it comes to picking the appropriate outfitter for the trip you want. While we don’t own or operate a whitewater outfitter, we are life-long residents with a long history of involvement in the travel and tourism industry and can help you navigate the outfitter gauntlet so that you come up with the perfect outfitter for your perfect whitewater rafting trip.

Our cabins at Carnifex Ferry Cottages are very close to the Gauley River and centrally located to the best West Virginia has to offer.

Whitewater Rafting the New River
Stay at Our WV Cabins and be Close to the Action!
Call 1-800-701-0809 to Plan Your New River Whitewater Adventure
Info on Gauley River Rafting Trips

New River Map

About the New River
Despite its name, the New River is considered by some geologists to be

River Guage

possibly one of the oldest rivers in the world, between 10 million and 360 million years old. According to locals, it is considered to be the oldest in North America and the second oldest river in the world with the Nile River being the oldest. The New River flows in a generally south to north course, which is against the southwest to northeast topology of the Appalachian Mountains which may indicate the river was here long before the mountains.

The 14-mile stretch of the New River between the town of Thurmond, WV and Fayette Station, WV,is now known as the New River Gorge National River, a nationally protected area that drops almost 250 feet through a narrow canyon that is nearly 1500 feet deep and lined with sheer rock faces and several abandoned mines.Rafting Trips on the New River
The rapids on the New River are more evenly spaced than those on the Upper Gauley River, allowing you some time to recuperate as you float between the rapids. As with the Gauley River, the New River is commonly run in sections: the Upper, which runs from Hinton to Thurmond, is considerably calmer and ideal for novices and families, including the kids and grandma and grandpa–heck bring along aunt Betty, too! Below Thurmond, the river flows into the New River Gorge, which boils with a series of Class III, IV and V rapids before passing under the amazing span of the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville. At 3,030 feet long and 876 feet high, it is the 3rd largest arch bridge in the world and the highest vehicular bridge in the Americas.

Bridge Day
Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event in the world and is held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayette County, West Virginia (WV), USA. Hundreds of BASE jumpers and nearly 80,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s Bridge Day. The New River Gorge Bridge, 876′ tall and the world’s second longest single arch bridge, serves as the launch point for six hours (9am-3pm EST) of safe, legal BASE jumps. Learn more about Bridge Day.

What We Do
(Aside From Offering West Virginia’s Best Value in Vacation Accommodations, That Is!)
There are dozens of whitewater rafting outfitters in our area and with good reason. This part of WV offers the best whitewater in the eastern United States. Navigating the rivers, however, can be easier than navigating the plethora of options when it comes to picking the appropriate outfitter for the trip you want. While we don’t own or operate a whitewater outfitter, we are life-long residents with a long history of involvement in the travel and tourism industry and can help you navigate the outfitter gauntlet so that you come up with the perfect outfitter for your perfect whitewater rafting trip.

Best of all, our cabins at Carnifex Ferry Cotages are near the New River and centrally located to many other area attractions.

Stay at Our WV Cabins and be Close to the Action!
Call 1-800-701-0809 to Plan Your Gauley River Whitewater Rafting Adventure
Info on New River Rafting Trips

About Whitewater Rafting the Gauley River

Nothing gets the adrenaline pumping like a Class V rapid on the Gauley River. The Gauley River was a sporadic and unreliable rafting venue until 1985 when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers was authorized to release water from Summersville Lake.These scheduled and controlled releases flood the Gauley River and transform it into one of the most challenging rivers in the world for whitewater enthusiasts. The Gauley River is generally rafted in two sections by most outfitters and in three sections by others. Both single day and two day trips are offered by many outfitters. The river stretches over 100 miles from the Summersville dam to its meeting with the New River and boasts over 60 rapids, most in the 24 mile stretch starting at the dam.The Upper Gauley River
The most intense whitewater is found on the upper section of the Gauley River but the rafting season here is short so book early! The upper section relies on water released from Summersville Lake which happens during the months of September and October. Occasionally the release is extended if water levels in the lake are high but don’t count on this happening–its a fairly rare event. The upper section trip is 11 to 15 miles long depending on where the outfitter starts and finishes. This is a very intense section of river with many class IV and V+ rapids.

The upper Gauley rafting season runs every Friday through Monday after Labor Day, and concludes on the third weekend of October in conjunction with the Bridge Day Festival—the world’s largest BASE-jumping event, where BASE jumpers hurl themselves off the nearby 876-foot high New River Gorge Bridge.

Previous rafting experience is strongly recommended.

The Middle Gauley River
The middle section is the shortest and mildest section of the river with class II and III+ rapids along its 7 mile course. It is not offered as a trip by itself by all outfitters. It is, however, the only section of the river that can be rafted April through September on a fairly consistent basis

The Lower Gauley River
The lower section of the river offers many more class IV and V rapids and a slew of class III’s just for good measure. The rapids here aren’t quite as intense as those on the upper Gauley but previous experience is a bonus when setting out to conquer this 13 to 17 mile stretch of mayhem. Two day trips are very popular offering thrill-seekers the chance to run the entire 24 mile stretch of whitewater insanity. Some outfitters offer a “reverse” Gauley trip where you raft the milder lower sections of the river first to get your feet wet with your rafting adventure–a kind of “on the river training” program to prepare you for the onslaught of class V+ rapids on the upper Gauley the second day.What We Do
(Aside From Offering the Best Value in WV Vacation Accommodations, That Is!)
There are dozens of whitewater rafting outfitters in our area and with good reason. This part of WV offers the best whitewater in the eastern United States. Navigating the rivers, however, can be easier than navigating the plethora of options when it comes to picking the appropriate outfitter for the trip you want. While we don’t own or operate a whitewater outfitter, we are life-long residents with a long history of involvement in the travel and tourism industry and can help you navigate the outfitter gauntlet so that you come up with the perfect outfitter for your perfect whitewater rafting trip.

Our cabins at Carnifex Ferry Cottages are very close to the Gauley River and centrally located to the best West Virginia has to offer.

Whitewater Rafting the New River
Stay at Our WV Cabins and be Close to the Action!
Call 1-800-701-0809 to Plan Your New River Whitewater Adventure
Info on Gauley River Rafting Trips

New River Map

About the New River
Despite its name, the New River is considered by some geologists to be

River Guage

possibly one of the oldest rivers in the world, between 10 million and 360 million years old. According to locals, it is considered to be the oldest in North America and the second oldest river in the world with the Nile River being the oldest. The New River flows in a generally south to north course, which is against the southwest to northeast topology of the Appalachian Mountains which may indicate the river was here long before the mountains.

The 14-mile stretch of the New River between the town of Thurmond, WV and Fayette Station, WV,is now known as the New River Gorge National River, a nationally protected area that drops almost 250 feet through a narrow canyon that is nearly 1500 feet deep and lined with sheer rock faces and several abandoned mines.Rafting Trips on the New River
The rapids on the New River are more evenly spaced than those on the Upper Gauley River, allowing you some time to recuperate as you float between the rapids. As with the Gauley River, the New River is commonly run in sections: the Upper, which runs from Hinton to Thurmond, is considerably calmer and ideal for novices and families, including the kids and grandma and grandpa–heck bring along aunt Betty, too! Below Thurmond, the river flows into the New River Gorge, which boils with a series of Class III, IV and V rapids before passing under the amazing span of the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville. At 3,030 feet long and 876 feet high, it is the 3rd largest arch bridge in the world and the highest vehicular bridge in the Americas.

Bridge Day
Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event in the world and is held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayette County, West Virginia (WV), USA. Hundreds of BASE jumpers and nearly 80,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s Bridge Day. The New River Gorge Bridge, 876′ tall and the world’s second longest single arch bridge, serves as the launch point for six hours (9am-3pm EST) of safe, legal BASE jumps. Learn more about Bridge Day.

What We Do
(Aside From Offering West Virginia’s Best Value in Vacation Accommodations, That Is!)
There are dozens of whitewater rafting outfitters in our area and with good reason. This part of WV offers the best whitewater in the eastern United States. Navigating the rivers, however, can be easier than navigating the plethora of options when it comes to picking the appropriate outfitter for the trip you want. While we don’t own or operate a whitewater outfitter, we are life-long residents with a long history of involvement in the travel and tourism industry and can help you navigate the outfitter gauntlet so that you come up with the perfect outfitter for your perfect whitewater rafting trip.

Best of all, our cabins at Carnifex Ferry Cotages are near the New River and centrally located to many other area attractions.